KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

Alert Passerby Helps Rural Metro Crews Get Jump on Hugo House Fire

An alert passerby assisted Rural Metro Fire Department with mounting a rapid response to extinguish a structure fire in the Hugo area early yesterday. On Monday at 8:09 a.m., Rural Metro crews from the North Valley Station were dispatched to a house fire on Oxyoke Road near Three Pines Road. Rural Metro officials said the passerby called the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center after observing smoke coming from behind a building. Firefighters arrived quickly to find smoke coming from the attic of a home and filling the interior. Occupants had already exited safely as they were alerted by their smoke alarm. No one was hurt. Officials said the fire appeared to have started from radiant heat of a flue pipe that was too close to structural components and eventually ignited. Due to the early detection and quick response, the building sustained minimal damage. According to the report, the passerby was a member of Josephine County Emergency Management.

Posted on 10/8/24 6:27AM by Sam Marsh

City of RR to Place Plaque Honoring Longtime Tree City Panel Member

The City of Rogue River will be placing a plaque honoring the dedication and service of longtime Tree City USA member Don Moody this week. The public is invited to attend the dedication event on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Palmerton Park, 300 West Evans Creek Road. If you have any questions regarding the dedication, please contact Rogue River City Administrator Ryan Nolan at (541)-582-4401 or send an e-mail to "rnolan@cityofrogueriver.org."

Posted on 10/8/24 6:18AM by Sam Marsh

Northwest Forest Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement Expected in November

The US Forest Service has announced that the release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Northwest Forest Plan amendment is now expected in November. This decision follows a productive meeting of the Northwest Forest Plan Advisory Committee (FAC) held late last month in Stevenson, Washington. The three-day meeting proved pivotal in ensuring the forthcoming DEIS accurately reflects the FAC's comprehensive recommendations. After in-depth discussions with the FAC, the Forest Service opted to revise portions of the DEIS to better align with the committee's consensus recommendations. Key topics addressed during the meeting included climate change adaptation, sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities, and greater Tribal inclusion in land management planning and implementation. The FAC -- a diverse 20-person group representing Tribes, local communities, environmental organizations, industry and academia across Oregon, Washington and northern California -- unanimously advanced a comprehensive set of recommendations for updating the Northwest Forest Plan. The DEIS is expected to be published in the Federal Register in November, initiating a 90-day public comment period.

Posted on 10/8/24 6:16AM by Sam Marsh

Applications Being Accepted for Two Seats on the Grants Pass Budget Committee

Applications are now being accepted for two positions on the Grants Pass Budget Committee. These are three-year positions that will expire on December 31, 2027. The Grants Pass Budget Committee receives and reviews the recommended budget and approves a spending plan for the City Council's consideration. Half of the budget committee members are elected officials and half are applicants from the community at large. The committee representation welcomes divergent views from the community. Special qualifications for Budget Committee members are they must be residents and electors of the City of Grants Pass. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application." Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, December 20th. Candidates will be interviewed by the City Council on Monday, January 13th, 2025. Appointments will be made by the City Council on Wednesday, January 15th, 2025.

Posted on 10/8/24 6:12AM by Sam Marsh

18th Annual Empty Bowls Event Scheduled for October 14th at Parkway Christian Center in GP

The 18th Annual Empty Bowls event will be held at Parkway Christian Center in Grants Pass on Monday, October 14th. Empty Bowls is a grassroots efforts led by Options for Southern Oregon in partnership with the Josephine County Food Bank that includes artists and restaurants in our community. Josephine County is one of the most food-insecure counties in all of Oregon. Empty Bowls raises funds to fight hunger. All proceeds from Empty Bowls will go to help the Josephine County Food Bank provide food to the needy. Guests choose a handcrafted bowl and then fill their bowl with gourmet soup and bread from several restaurants who are 2024 soup sponsors. Local potters from Clayfolk, the Southern Oregon Potters' Association, have generously donated their time and talent to make more than 400 beautifully handcrafted bowls for the event. Tickets are $40 if purchased in advance or $45 at the door.

Posted on 10/8/24 6:10AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Trespasser for Multiple Crimes after Wolf Creek Disturbance

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for multiple crimes after a weekend disturbance near Wolf Creek. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies arrested 59-year-old Randy Carter Thompson for the incident in the 3300-block of Speaker Road on Saturday at 10:36 a.m.. Deputies said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that Thompson trespassed on their property and refused to leave, throwing punches at her husband and screaming at everyone who was there. The caller said she did not know the male subject and that he tried to assault her husband with a T-post, but her husband hit him in the face. Upon arrival, deputies said Thompson had a bloody face and was yelling that he needed medical attention. They placed him into custody after determining that was not seriously hurt. Thompson was transported to Grants Pass and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, Harassment, 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and 2nd-Degree Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 10/7/24 11:08AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Arrested Man for Stalking Order Violation and Struggling with Them

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for violating a court order and struggling with deputies after a weekend disturbance in the Jerome Prairie area. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the incident in the 3,000-block of Jerome Prairie Road on Saturday around 7:15 p.m.. Deputies said the property owner reported that 80-year-old Donald Eugene Park was outside their home pounding on the front door, despite the fact that she had a valid stalking order against him. The caller said the elderly man lives on the same property and he had been watching her family. Park reportedly threatened to shoot the family and said he was going to shut their power off. He cornered the complainant's 16-year-old son in the family's truck, but the son locked the door and was not hurt. Upon arrival, deputies placed Park into custody with some difficulty as he struggled with them. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Contempt of Court-Stalking Order Violation and Attempted Assault on a Peace Officer. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 10/7/24 11:07AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Jailed Man for Old & New Crimes after Incident at Caveman Towing

Grants Pass Police jailed a man for old and new crimes after he caused a weekend disturbance at a local towing company. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at Caveman Towing on NW Vine Street on Saturday at 2:40 p.m.. Police said company workers reported that 24-year-old Calvin Mathew Bertik arrived and requested to have his vehicle returned after it was seized as evidence in a recent criminal investigation. Officers contacted the subject and determined that there was probable cause for his arrest for 2nd-Degree Burglary, 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and 3rd-Degree Theft, so they placed him into custody. During a consent search, Bertik was found to be in possession of two containers with a white crystal substance in them that tested positive for methamphetamine. Bertik was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for probable cause of the mentioned crimes as well as for Meth Possession. He was being held without bail.

Posted on 10/7/24 11:05AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Snared Man on Felony Warrant Plus Drug Crime in SE City Contact

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outstanding felony warrant plus a drug crime after a weekend contact near a southeast city watering hole. According to the Police Department, officers were on patrol in the 600-block of Fruitdale Drive at 10:09 p.m. Friday when they observed 47-year-old Jason Lee Stout exiting Flespy's Bar & Grill. Police said Stout started running east and he was located in front of Li'l Pantry Market & Deli a short time later. They said the subject deliberately hid a jar of methamphetamine by trying to kick it under a nearby bush. Responding officers placed the suspect into custody and seized the jar of meth for destruction. Stout was found to be wanted on a Medford felony warrant for failing to appear in court for 1st-Degree Theft. He was lodged in jail on the warrant plus new charges of Meth Possession and Tampering with Evidence.

Posted on 10/7/24 11:03AM by Sam Marsh

GP Police Nabbed Forgery Suspect on Local Warrant after Trespassing Call

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on a local warrant and for probable cause of two other crimes after he was spotted using drugs at a north-city fast food restaurant. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to suspicious activity at the McDonalds on NE 6th Street on Saturday at about 3:30 p.m.. Police said they contacted 37-year-old Jordan Ellis Haas at the north McDonalds after receiving reports of a male subject using drugs near the dumpster. Employees said the subject was in clear view of customers in the drive-thru and surveillance cameras were directed toward that area. Officers arrived on scene, contacted Haas and discovered that he was wanted on a Grants Pass warrant for failing to appear in court for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. He was also a suspect in a recent forgery crime, so he was placed into custody. Haas was lodged in jail on the warrant as well as for probable cause of 1st-Degree Forgery and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument. No mention was made of any drugs or drug paraphernalia.

Posted on 10/7/24 11:01AM by Sam Marsh

OSP Collected Railroad Explosives Turned in to Rural Metro by Local Family

The Oregon State Police was notified that multiple railroad explosives were turned in to a local fire department late last week. According to the report, the OSP Explosives Unit was alerted on Friday afternoon that the dangerous devices had been turned in to Rural Metro Fire Department Station #2 on Monument Drive. Rural Metro officials said the railroad explosives -- which included torpedoes, detonators and fog signals -- were surrendered by the family of the owner after the owner passed away. State troopers said the items were collected and stored for future destruction.

Posted on 10/7/24 11:00AM by Sam Marsh

Deputies Jailed Dangerous Offender on Warrant after Pursuit in New Hope Area

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a dangerous criminal offender on a local felony warrant late last week after a pursuit in the New Hope area. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies eventually arrested 30-year-old Mackenzie Duane Clinger at gunpoint on Corbin Drive near Williams Highway last Friday at 12:40 a.m.. Deputies said they were attempting to locate Clinger because he was wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for Probation Violation related to recent arrests for 2nd-Degree Kidnapping and two counts of 4th-Degree Assault. Upon spotting Clinger, deputies pursued him out Highway 238 and successfully spiked his vehicle. They attempted to block him in when he pulled into a private driveway, but he went around the patrol vehicle and continued to flee until all four tires went flat, disabling his vehicle. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center notified deputies that Clinger was considered armed and dangerous, but he was placed into custody without further incident. Clinger was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant along with new charges of Felony Attempt to Elude Police and Reckless Driving. He was being held over the weekend on $250,000 bail.

Posted on 10/7/24 6:41AM by Sam Marsh

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